Guardian Bikes, American Pan Cite “Unfair” China Trade in Tariff Plea

American firms Guardian Bikes and American Pan are leading a new charge for tariffs, explicitly citing “unfair” competition from China. In pleas to the Commerce Department, they are partof a group asking for 700 new items to be added to the “steel derivatives” list, which would apply tariffs globally.
Guardian Bikes, in an 11-page letter, blamed China for “severe competition” and 11 million bike imports. American Pan and Chicago Metallic complained of China “flooding the market” with low-cost baking pans.
While China is the stated target, the tariffs will hit exporters worldwide. This means high-performance Italian bike brands (Pinarello, Bianchi) and UK-based Brompton could all face new import duties. This has European industry leaders on high alert.
The move is also seen as subverting existing trade deals. The UK and EU have baseline tariffs of 10% and 25% respectively. This new “derivative” levy would be added on top of those rates, a move European exporters call a “mockery” of their pacts.
A decision on the 700 items is expected in December or January, following an October 21 deadline. With a near-100% success rate for a previous list, approval is widely anticipated.